Ron Paul: Democracy ≠ Freedom

As we enter the fall political season, we will hear a great deal of rhetoric from both major political parties and their many candidates for office. It’s important for us to remember, however, that words can be made meaningless by misuse or overuse. And when we as citizens allow politicians to obscure the truth by distorting words, we diminish ourselves and our nation.

For example, we’ve all heard politicians use the words “democracy” and “freedom” countless times. They are used interchangeably in modern political discourse, yet their true meanings are very different. They have become what George Orwell termed “meaningless words”. Words like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “justice,” Orwell explained, have been abused for so l?ong that their original meanings have been eviscerated. In Orwell’s view, such words were “often used in a consciously dishonest way.”

Without precise meanings behind words, politicians and elites can obscure reality and condition people to reflexively associate certain words with positive or negative perceptions. In other words, unpleasant facts can be hidden behind purposely meaningless language. As just one example, Americans have been conditioned to accept the word “democracy” as a synonym for freedom. Thus we are conditioned to believe that democracy is always and everywhere benevolent.

The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is simply majoritarianism, which is inherently incompatible with freedom. While our Constitution certainly features certain democratic mechanisms, it also features inherently undemocratic mechanisms like the First Amendment and the Electoral College. American is a constitutional republic, not a democracy. Yet we’ve been bombarded with the meaningless word “democracy” for so long that few Americans understand the difference.

If we intend to use the word freedom in an honest way, we should have the simple integrity to give it real meaning: Freedom is living without government coercion. So when a politician talks about freedom or liberty–regardless of the issue being discussed– ask yourself whether he is advocating more government force or less.

The words “liberal” and “conservative” have also been abused. “Liberalism,” which once stood for civil, political, and economic liberties, has become a synonym for omnipotent coercive government. Liberalism has been redefined to mean liberation from material wants, always via a large and benevolent government that exists to create equality on earth.

“Conservatism,” meanwhile, once meant respect for tradition and distrust of active government. But in recent decades conservatism has been redefined as support for big-government grandiosity via military adventurism, corporatism, and inflationary monetary policy. The modern political right has redefined conservatism into support for an all-powerful central state, provided that the state furthers supposedly conservative goals.

Orwell certainly was right about the use of meaningless words in politics. Our task, therefore, is to reclaim our language and reclaim our liberties. If we hope to remain free, we must cut through the fog and attach concrete meanings to the words politicians use to deceive us.

Can we PLEASE band together to defeat Obama? That is the true conservative patriot’s goal and plea. PLEASE be the one to lead toward this end. You are strong enough to do this, Mr. Paul, and you have enough followers to make a difference for all our futures. Splitting the party is NOT in our best interest at this point in time. PLEASE consider we the people and stand tall for us all. Blessings, Gigi

Actually not all states count write-ins, so I've heard. This pretty much means there will be a divide in Paul supporters votes. Some will write in Paul, and some will vote Johnson. Doing this is completely useless. We all really need to vote the same thing. Paul said he's not endorsing anyone. Maybe a miracle will happen and Paul will run as Johnson's vice?

Do a little research - all the alleged racist stuff was actually written by a guy named James E Powell, and Ron Paul was the publisher of that newsletter, not the editor, so he didn't read it before it went out. This issue was debated in 2008, but I'm surprised there are still people in 2012 who believe that "racist" or "anti-semite" garbage... Goes tho show how lazy people are that they can't just google it and find the truth!

Ron Paul got alot more than 1% of the vote in the primaries and caucuses. And there are enough democrats disenfranchised by Obama's broken promises, and Romney's cheating to win the nomination, that a huge voter turnout for someone like Gary Johnson, or a huge write-in vote for Ron Paul could definitely turn the tide. Up until last week I was thinking I should write in Ron Paul, but I'm coming around to the idea of voting (and campaigning) for Gary Johnson.

I AM PERSIAN FROM IRAN AND I AGREE WITH YOU
EVEN HE DID WIN THE ELECTION, ZIONISM LOBBY DO NOT LET HIM TO BE A PRESIDENT OF USA !!!
I DONT KNOW HOW AMERICAN PEOPLE BY NOW HAVENT FIND OUT THAT ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN BY ZIONISM ISRAELI LOBBIES OR EVEN IF THEY KNOW WHY THEY DONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT ???

Yup! People need to sue for voters fraud! They changed the rules around to accomidate Romney! Bad decision and saying Romney is President all ready! Rigged! Not counting Ron Paul deligates to elect Romney! It's ON!

Well that's too bad that and your black friends and you fell for that. Ron Paul didn't write those, but he still apologized for having them released under his name. No one who is serious thinks Ron Paul actually wrote that. A few black people I have talked to said that even if he had wrote that they don't care because that was in the past and he obviously isn't racist, at least today. And besides they are politically incorrect but not exactly racist remarks.

he IS respected by the informed parts of the black community. his newsletter as he as addressed time and time again over the course of many years were not written by him and was not aware of the material being published. his mistake as he owned up to it. people bring up these newsletters, then ignore this fact AND ignore the fact that he has assisted the black community, championed black leaders like martin luther king jr and pushed policy that would assist blacks his entire life, educate yoself

I am wondering how do you gents reconcile the fact that this guy is a racist? I am not American so I have no stake in these matters, but I am wondering how could anyone of good conscience vote for him unless one is a fascist?

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